RETAIL BANK OF THE YEAR September 5, 2010 LIFE is still hard for banks, especially the high-street variety. One of our list is government-owned, others are engaged in a vicious fight to entice customers with tasty offers, and one is a brave and innovative newcomer. All are fascinating – and well-known – companies in this vital and fast-changing sector. Don’t miss the City event [...]
Waterstone’s man plots £100m return September 5, 2010 THE founder of the Waterstone’s book chain could launch a bid of more than £100m to take the business private if owner HMV decides to sell, it is understood. Tim Waterstone, the novelist-cum-entrepreneur who started the company in 1982, is reported to have lined up financing from backers including a London-based hedge fund. Waterstone has [...]
John Lewis shrugs off double-dip fears September 3, 2010 Customers of John Lewis are showing few signs of reining in spending in the face of prospective tax rises and employment uncertainty with the firm posting another week of double digit sales growth. The employee-owned company, traditionally seen as a bellwether of the retail sector but which has outperformed competitors for over a year, said [...]
No. 1 ladies’ investment club September 2, 2010 FORMING SCM Ladies Investment Club has realised a passion for Gina Miller. The marketing impresario is not afraid of a challenge and her next one is to try to inform wealthy and successful women how to invest for themselves. Miller is impeccably dressed and looks far younger than her 46 years. The mother of three, [...]
MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR | September 1, 2010 MORE than ever, in this competitive world, it’s all about brand-building at the moment. Our shortlist have all carved out a niche for themselves in the past 12 months, whether it was negotiating a name-change, capitalising on a long history or launching products that will define the future. These firms know how to sell, sell, [...]
BORIS OUT FOR A RIDE WITH KELLY BROOK TO LAUNCH BIKE SCHEME August 31, 2010 Boris Johnson’s love affair with two wheels continued yesterday with the launch of his driver-frustrating Sky Ride scheme, where roads are cleared throughout central London to allow cyclists to take in the sights. But The Capitalist can’t help but think bikes weren’t the only thing on the mind of the red-blooded Mayor. Accompanying him on [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING August 30, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES OSBORNE PLANS TREASURY STAFF CUTS George Osborne is planning to cut staff numbers at the Treasury by about one-quarter and scale back his department’s role as he attempts to lead by example in the search for sweeping spending cuts across Whitehall. The chancellor will reconvene the public spending “star chamber” this week and [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS August 30, 2010 Wiggle Andy Bond, the chairman and former chief executive of Asda, has joined the board of the online sports and cycling retailer as a non-executive director. Bond, who is a keen cyclist, joined Asda in 1994 as a marketing manager. He held various positions including chief operating officer and marketing director before winning the top [...]
FOCUS ON: WEMBLEY, HA9 August 26, 2010 CENTRAL APARTMENTS From £230,000 Ideal for first-time buyers, this new development comprises 113 apartments. All flats are open-plan and have their own balconies with views as far as the London Eye. Contact: St Modwen’s on 0844 371 1301, www.wembley-central.co.uk MIDHOLM £470,000 It’s in need of some modernisation, but this three-bed detached property is an ideal [...]
Getting a grip on listed products August 25, 2010 TOO much choice can be a problem for investors these days. Online consumer champion Which? singled out structured products as being some of the most confusing instruments on offer and was particularly unhappy about their lack of transparency, particularly when it comes to counterparty risk. The UK Structured Products Association hit back at the research [...]